Millie Bobby Brown has hit out at the “inappropriate comments” and “sexualisation” she has faced since her rise to fame as a child star.
The Netflix star – best known for her role as the teenager Eleven in Stranger Things – has just celebrated her 16th birthday, and shared her thoughts on the occasion in a post on Instagram.
Acknowledging that her time in the spotlight “[hasn’t] been easy”, she wrote: “I feel like change needs to happen for not only this generation but the next. Our world needs kindness and support in order for us children to grow and succeed.
“The last few years haven’t been easy, I’ll admit that. There are moments I get frustrated from the inaccuracy, inappropriate comments, sexualisation, and unnecessary insults that ultimately have resulted in pain and insecurity for me.
“But not ever will I be defeated. I’ll continue doing what I love and spreading the message in order to make change.”
Her post was accompanied by a montage of headlines from the last few years, including “The truth about Millie Bobby Brown”, “Stranger Things star leaves Twitter after cyberbullying” and “Millie Bobby Brown criticised for adult style”, as well as negative comments that had been posted about her online.
Looking ahead, the teenager concluded: “Let’s focus on what needs changing and I hope this video informs you on the things that go on behind the scenes of the headlines and flashing lights. Don’t worry I’ll always find a way to smile.”
Back in 2018, Millie won an MTV Award for her role in Stranger Things, and while she was unable to attend due to a knee injury, she still took a moment to share an empowering message to her young fans.
She said: “Since I know there are many young people watching this — and even for the adults, too — they could probably use the reminder that I was taught: if you don’t have anything nice to say, just don’t say it.
“There should be no space in this world for bullying, and I’m not going to tolerate it, and neither should any of you.”
It was recently revealed that Millie will be back in the fourth series of Stranger Things next year, on which production is now underway.
